Although there isn't a whole lot to be done over the winter, we occupied ourselves by planting the dome full of delicious vegetables.
The beds were cleaned out of overgrown and dying vegetation and manure from the cows outside, alfalfa pellets, coffee grounds, dried leaves, and moss that grows and floats
upon the pools that regulate the heat in the grow dome, were added as a good base of fertilization for the upcoming growth. In the beds we planted arugula, spinach, lettuce mix, turnips, beets, mustard greens, tatsoi, kale, and swiss chard. Go figure, things will grow in the dead of winter!
Darren, the genius that he is, devised a way to grow things vertically in the dome through the use of grow tubes made of pvc pipes that hang along the walls last spring. Those also needed to be planted. Although you can't grow as much in each tube because of their size, it works well for greens and root vegetables (obviously not carrots). Scallions, turnips, radishes, arugula, and spinach were planted in the tubes.
We also worked a few days ago on pulling up strawberry runners that have been growing in the dome since the fall and placing them in hanging baskets to sell at the farmer's markets in the spring. Its a great way to enjoy strawberries in an easy and transportable way!
While searching for photos to put up on the blog, i found this photo of Cali, one of the local dogs we love, stepping into the dome during the warmer days of the year. It gives us hope that the snow will melt again and then we will be out and about working in the gardens once more.
The beds were cleaned out of overgrown and dying vegetation and manure from the cows outside, alfalfa pellets, coffee grounds, dried leaves, and moss that grows and floats
upon the pools that regulate the heat in the grow dome, were added as a good base of fertilization for the upcoming growth. In the beds we planted arugula, spinach, lettuce mix, turnips, beets, mustard greens, tatsoi, kale, and swiss chard. Go figure, things will grow in the dead of winter!Darren, the genius that he is, devised a way to grow things vertically in the dome through the use of grow tubes made of pvc pipes that hang along the walls last spring. Those also needed to be planted. Although you can't grow as much in each tube because of their size, it works well for greens and root vegetables (obviously not carrots). Scallions, turnips, radishes, arugula, and spinach were planted in the tubes.
We also worked a few days ago on pulling up strawberry runners that have been growing in the dome since the fall and placing them in hanging baskets to sell at the farmer's markets in the spring. Its a great way to enjoy strawberries in an easy and transportable way!
While searching for photos to put up on the blog, i found this photo of Cali, one of the local dogs we love, stepping into the dome during the warmer days of the year. It gives us hope that the snow will melt again and then we will be out and about working in the gardens once more.
Yea!! Buckhorn!!
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